New Delhi (August 26)
On board the IndiGo from Kathmandu, Nepal, I sat beside a handsome Nepalese, Suklav. I learned that it was his first flight of his life as he was in a hurry to get to Embassy of Sweden for an interview. He applied for an scholarship program. My funny and embarrassing moment with him was when I ordered a coffee in flight only to find out that I can't pay it with Nepalese Rupee; they only accept Indian rupee. And Suklav paid it for me. I promised to pay him upon arrival; I need to withdraw from the nearest ATM. But he passed the immigration counter ahead of us, so I turned him over all my remaining Nepalese rupee. Anyway, he can still use them when he's back home.
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A pose at the New Delhi airport
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I was initially impressed by the access straight from
airport to the city via metro rail. We don't have that kind of access yet in the Philippines; not even in Metro Manila. But when we alighted at Kashmere station, we lost our way in search of the Oberoi
Apartment where our homestay host were waiting. We kept walking the circular road around the forest within the city center, until I finally gave up knowing we've lost. I approached a group of locals nearby and inquired by showing my Agoda's reservation voucher. They pointed at the forest and saying about long distance from where we are in Hindi.
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Inside the room where we helped split the bed into two.
Our reservation stated twin bed but the aged hosts weren't able
to instruct their househelp to split it.
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Kuya Louver and I decided to hail the next approaching pedicab that sit two people at the back of the driver. It is kind of an elevated tricycle in the Philippines. The driver knew exactly where Oberoi Apartment was and we were dropped right at the gate. I realized that the location was right a few steps away from the train station had we turned the other way.
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We had a morning walk at the adjacent public park
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With our hosts, Mr and Mrs Bammi
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Agra (August 27)
Our main and only tour destination was Taj Mahal. It is in Agra which is 200+ kilometers away.
We were forewarned by our hosts that if we decide to go to Agra, we have to reserve our seats either in the train or bus. But we thought of taking the night bus. We tried to find the nearest bus station or pick up point but to no avail. We went our at midnight to find one but we were pointed by locals here and there. We feared we might be scammed if we push on. So the express train was our last option. And this was where we encountered a real life swindler. He tricked us and pocketed more than a thousand rupees. I felt it but I let is pass; we might get ourselves into trouble. Anyway, we got the right seats in express train.
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Inside Taj Mahal
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| Majestic! A perfect manifestation of undying and pure 💝 |
Upon arrival at the Agra Train Station, we were approached by plenty of locals. And found a tuktuk driver that can speak good English. He himself warned us of many don'ts: don't talk to anyone that offers anything, don't take drinks that anyone offers, don't entertain anyone posing as tourguide, et cetera. So we paid for our entry tickets, refused from the guy who offered to guide us in the tour, and went straight to the west gate.
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The grandiose, manicured, clean, and beautiful interiors of Taj Mahal
is the complete opposite of the outside
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Taj Mahal indeed represents the Incredible India. Despite the distance
from New Delhi, we invested money and time to reach this Wonder of the
World. Scam is rampant and it’s everywhere.
I
personally don't like touring around India. You need to be looking over
your shoulder. It felt that sinister lurks everywhere. And everywhere
is dirty, dingy, dusty... My tips to avoid scam in
transport is to book in advance (online or thru an agency) your express
train ticket, even the seat in a tourist bus. Sorry to say this but
avoid hospitality (something to eat or drink), refuse tourguiding
offers, and as much as possible, don’t talk to anyone.
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| The Red Fort of Agra is another
beautiful destination within Incredible India.
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Bangkok (August 28-30)
Straight from India, our next drop was in Bangkok on board the SpiceJet. We arrived late at night of August 28th. We
took the metro rail from Airport to Silom and searched for Good'uck
Hostel. It was not hard to find it and it's not that far from the
nearest metro station on foot. Kuya Louver and I have two full days for the classic tour in Thailand's capital.
I am witnessing how the floating market tour has become less and less
attractive. Most peddlers are no longer boating. Most of the route are
canals without life, not even shops. The tour nowadays can be
characterized as just floating or boating, no longer some “chaotic”
floating market.
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| At Damnoen Saduak Floating Market |
Been here in Bangkok several times already. To enjoy it
still, and not leave Kuya Louver on his own, I tried tourist adventures I
never tried before. The Classic Bangkok Tour we availed of from Klook includes the elephant
ride at Elephant Village, boat ride at Damnoen Floating Market, and
train ride (just a photoop) at Meklong Railway Market.
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| At the Elephant Farm within Chang Puak Camp |
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| Busy public market and active train trips can be observed in Mae Klong Station |
A public market crowding a railway close a train station. Vendors open
and close their shops, fold and unfold their tarp covers, pull in and
out their displays when train comes and goes. Strange but cute; chaotic
but attractive!This was my first time to take HOHO (hop on- hop off) bus tour. But because it
was raining that day, Kuya Louver and I only reached these spots: The
Golden Temple and Chinatown; Wat Pho and the Reclining Buddha; Grand
Palace and Emerald Temple; and, the Mahakan Fort along the Riverside.
The rest, we only viewed from the bus, while listening to the English
voice over.
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